Agenda and minutes

OFFICERS:

Michelle Anderson – Employment and Skills Service

Keri Evans – Employment and Skills Services

Rory Barke – East North East Area Lead

Carole Clark – East North East Area Support Team

John Grieve – Governance Services

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

There were no appeals against refusal of the inspection of documents

There were no items where the press or public would be required to be excluded from the meeting proceedings

There were no late items

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Procter

There were no declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests

In accordance with paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee. 

On this occasion, there were no matters raised under this item by members of the public.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th September 2013

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th September 2013 were accepted as a true and correct record

To consider a report of Head of Projects and Programmes, Employment and Skills which provides an update on activities delivered through the Employment and Skills service aimed at improving skills and increasing job outcomes in the City.

(Report attached)

The Head of Projects and Programmes, Employment and Skills submitted a report which provided an update on activities delivered through the Employment and Skills Service aimed at improving skills and increasing outcomes in the city.

Appended to the report was a copy of the contact details for the Employment and Skills Services (Appendix 1 referred).

Michelle Anderson, Service Locality Lead, Employment and Skills Service and Keri Evans, Service Locality Support, Employment and Skills Service  presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices which included:

·  An update on the employment and skills activities in Leeds being  delivered through the Council’s Employment and Skills Service

·  The City Wide position

·  The Area Committee position

·  Jobshops

·  Apprenticeships

Commenting on section 3.2 of the submitted report and the NEET statistics (Young people 16-18 not in employment, education or training) Councillor Robinson suggested the figures provided: Alwoodley (29), Harewood (14) and Wetherby (5) appeared to be too low and questioned the accuracy of the information.

Councillor Lamb said that as the Area Lead Member for Childrens Services he was aware that 368 people were categorised as “not known” in the Wetherby cluster alone.

In responding Ms Anderson said that only people claiming benefits would be recorded in the statistics. Also there was a significant shift in numbers over the summer period with young people transferring to higher education or moving out of the area.

Councillor Procter suggested that it was highly unlikely that only 31 people in the Wetherby area were claiming job seekers allowance.

Councillor Lamb, referring to the NEET (16-24) statistics asked if it was mostly males who were registered.

In responding officers said they were unaware of the gender breakdown but gave an undertaking to provide the requested information to Members.

It was the general opinion of Members that the figures for NEET quoted within the submitted report appeared to be inaccurate.

Commenting on the Apprenticeship scheme, Councillor Procter suggested that there appeared to be vacancies on the scheme and questioned the reasons behind this.

In responding Ms Anderson said there were a number of factors as to why there were vacancies on the scheme: the applicant may not be “job ready” also there was a lack of take up. Ms Anderson said that the latter issue was currently been addressed with the Council now actively promoting the scheme.

Councillor Buckley sought clarification about the term “job ready”

In responding officers said it was about “soft skills” i.e. timekeeping, how the applicant speaks in an interview, their appearance and how they dress. Some applicants required intensive support in this area.

In offering comment Councillor Procter said that small businesses provide the most employment throughout the city, but it would appear that these businesses are unaware of the City Council’s Employment and Skills Service, no one appears to be communicating with them.

Ms Anderson said information was accessible on line and brochures about the service were available. The suggestion about targeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To consider a report by the East North East Area Leader which provides an update on the current position of the revenue Well-being Funding for the Area Committee and sets out details of applications received made for Members consideration

(Report attached)

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report which provided an update on the current position of the revenue well-being Funding for the Area Committee and set out details of applications seeking well-being funding.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for information/ comment of the meeting.

·  Outer North East Area Committee Well-Being Budget 2013-14 (Appendix A referred)

·  Well-Being Budget 2013-14 Ward Breakdown (Appendix B referred)

·  Well-Being Budget 2013-14 – Small Grants (Appendix C referred)

·  Well-Being Fund Monitoring Report (Appendix D referred)

Carole Clark North East Area Management presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices which included:

·  Available funding for current financial year

·  Moor Allerton Sports and Social Club  - return of well-being monies

In responding to the issue concerning Moor Allerton Sports and Social Club and the return of well-being monies, officers confirmed that arrangements were on-going to secure the return of un-used funding.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the spend to date and current balances for the 2013/14 Financial year.

(ii)  That the following projects be determined as follows:

(iii)  To approve the spending of £1677.60 from the youth activity fund to cover summer holiday projects in Alwoodley which were originally funded from the wellbeing fund.

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) which formally notifies Members that the minutes of Area Chairs Forum meetings would be brought to Area Committee meetings as a regular agenda item, and provide a brief overview of the Area Chairs Forum meetings

(Report / Minutes attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report notifying members that the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meetings would be brought to Area Committee meetings as a regular agenda item.

The report also provided a brief overview of the Area Chairs Forum meetings.

The minutes of the Area Chairs Forum dated 6^th September 2013 were submitted for information and comment.

The Chair drew Members attention to paragraph 7.16 of the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum “Area Committee Delegations” and the suggestions made by this Committee to delegate the functions of the Planning Enforcement Service to the Area Committee.

The Chair reported that the issue had being well received by the Forum, the Executive Member responsible agreeing to explore the matter further with the Chief Planning Officer.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That The Minutes of the Area Chairs Forum dated 6^th September 2013 were received and noted

(iii)  To welcome the positive discussion around the delegation of the  Planning Enforcement Service to the Area Committee

To not that the next meeting will take place on Monday 2^nd December 2013 at 5.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Monday 2^nd December 2013 at 5.30pm  in the Civic Hall, Leeds.